Natural Light Cake Smash Session at Studio Ivoire In Franklin TN

There’s something so special about celebrating a baby’s very first birthday. As a Nashville family photographer, I love helping families document milestones in a way that feels joyful, timeless, and elevated. Recently, I had the joy of photographing sweet Ellie Jo’s cake smash session at Studio Ivoire in Franklin, TN, and it turned into the most beautiful combination of milestone portraits and family photos.

Her parents, Jamie and Lindsey, brought both Ellie Jo and her big sister, Olivia, to the studio to mark this exciting milestone. I love when families choose to include siblings and parents in cake smash sessions—it makes the experience even more meaningful, and it ensures families walk away with not just fun birthday memories but timeless portraits together.

 

A Light-Filled Franklin Studio

Studio Ivoire was the perfect backdrop for this celebration. Known for its classic, natural light aesthetic, it gave us the versatility to capture a wide variety of looks during the session. We photographed:

• Sweet family portraits with all four of them together

• Individual portraits of both Olivia and Ellie Jo

• Sisters together (always a favorite!)

• And of course, the grand finale: Ellie Jo’s strawberry-themed cake smash

As a Franklin family photographer and Nashville family photographer, I love offering my clients studio options like this. A natural light studio ensures portraits that feel timeless and radiant while keeping little ones comfortable and engaged.

Strawberry Cake Smash Details

For the cake smash portion, Lindsey chose a strawberry banner, strawberry cake with a topper that spelled out the word “one”, and simple white balloons to keep the setup fresh, sweet, and playful. I also brought along white butcher paper seamless flooring—a practical touch to protect the studio floor while keeping the photos clean and bright.

Ellie Jo dove right in, and it was pure joy to document her curiosity, delight, and a little bit of messiness, too. These authentic moments are what milestone photography is all about!

*I am so proud to share that I got to use my old cake stand from my own wedding for this cakesmash session, so I love reusing fun items that will help elevate a session for a client! That was an excellent little investment indeed for my 2016 wedding, if I can say so myself 🙂 

A Family + Milestone Session in One

One thing I love about blending cake smashes with family portraits is the variety it provides. You don’t just get photos of your baby with cake—you also walk away with updated family portraits, sibling photos, and solo shots. It’s the best of both worlds, and a perfect way to document your child’s first birthday.

As a Nashville and Franklin family photographer, I’m constantly reminded of how quickly childhood passes. Capturing those fleeting moments—siblings giggling, parents snuggling, and little ones discovering the world—is one of the greatest gifts I can offer the families I serve.

Planning Your Own Cake Smash or Family Session

If you’re considering a cake smash session in Franklin or Nashville, TN, I encourage you to think about incorporating your whole family. Whether in-studio or outdoors, milestone sessions are about more than just the birthday—they’re about celebrating your family’s story together.

If you’d like to plan your own session, I’d love to connect with you! You can fill out my contact form here to get started!

Want to see another fun cake smash session? 

Nashville Family Session and Cake Smash Session